Porters Progress report

by Ben Ayers

Porters' Progress (PP) is continuing to grow and better serve the needs of porters across Nepal thanks in a large part to support from the IPPG. We are now quite busy establishing programs that address the needs of children working as porters in Nepal in coordination with the International Labour Organization. Our work includes the reconstruction and revitalization of 7 rural schools, and the formation of 23 women's savings groups in porter villages in Eastern Nepal, as well as providing non-formal education to hundreds of children actively working in Lukla.

We also teamed up with World Expeditions and ran a porter-focused trek to Everest base camp that simultaneously raised funds for our office and set an example for the trekking industry to follow. The trek integrated the skills and personalities of our porters into the very fabric of the journey. Many stories were shared, and many nights were spent dancing and drumming the Himalayas to sleep. This was a totally new concept and raised $3,000 for PP. We are planning on running a similar trek next year.  For more information about this or any of our programs please contact us via email at info@portersprogress.org

Porters Progress UK report

by Dr Barbara C Holl, PhD., MSc., LLB C.Eng Chairman of PPUK

Porters Progress UK was set up as a charity at the end of December 2004 as the UK arm of Porters Progress USA to provide financial and volunteer support for Nepal and other countries using porters for the transportation of goods.

Fund raising events will take place at the Royal Geographical Society:    

November 29 2006

Andy Kirkpatrick “Fly or Die”

January 31st 2007

Kendal Film Festival Event

March 7th 2007

Banff Film Festival Event

Supporting the clothing bank of PPN in Kathmandu and Lukla is a major part of the work PPUK undertakes.

For more info on Porters Progress visit their website www.portersprogress.org